Tag: 3BL

Originally published by Northwestern Mutual

MILWAUKEE, December 3, 2024 /3BL/ – Northwestern Mutual, through its Foundation, today announced its continued support of those affected by childhood cancer with a $500,000 donation toward higher education for childhood cancer survivors and childhood cancer siblings. As part of the company’s 2025 Childhood Cancer Scholarship Program, 25 childhood cancer survivors and 25 childhood cancer siblings will be awarded a $5,000 scholarship, with the option to renew for a second year for a total of up to $10,000 per student.

“Studies show that 60% of families lose significant household income and are hit with financial hardship as a result of a childhood cancer diagnosis,” said Steve Radke, president of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation. “Each year, it’s an honor to provide some relief to these families and alleviate part of the financial burden tied to higher education, but the real joy is being able to see these students looking forward to their future and the brighter moments they have ahead them.”

Since the program’s inception in 2017, more than 320 scholarships have been awarded to children undergoing treatment, survivors and siblings of those who have been affected by childhood cancer, totaling $3 million. The Childhood Cancer Scholarship Program is one of several initiatives that the Northwestern Mutual Foundation commits to as part of its ongoing mission to the childhood cancer cause.

“For over a decade, it has been the Foundation’s mission to help find better treatments and cures for childhood cancer, while supporting families undergoing treatment and survivors living with long-term effects of treatment,” said Radke. “Part of that includes celebrating the ‘goldeNMoments’ and breakthroughs along the way, like survivors and siblings affected by childhood cancer pursuing their aspirations through higher education.”

Applications for the 2025-26 school year scholarship program are now being accepted through Feb. 3, 2025, unlocking an additional $500,000 in student scholarships.

The Childhood Cancer Scholarship Program is administered through Scholarship America, an organization dedicated to developing scholarship solutions for student success. Northwestern Mutual helps identify the criteria Scholarship America uses to select each year’s recipients, including the student’s essay, family income level, grade point average and geographic location. The scholarship is for full-time undergraduate studies and students must be a childhood cancer survivor or sibling of someone who had or has childhood cancer. For more information about the Childhood Cancer Scholarship Program and to apply, visit https://northwesternmutual-foundation.com/scholarships/.

Since 2012, Northwestern Mutual’s Childhood Cancer Program has been committed to accelerating the search for better treatments and cures for childhood cancer while supporting families undergoing treatment and survivors living with long-term effects. To date, Northwestern Mutual, through its Foundation, has funded more than 700,000 hours of research to accelerate the search for better treatments and cures for childhood cancer and contributed more than $60 million to the cause overall. To learn more about the company’s commitment to childhood cancer, visit the Northwestern Mutual Foundation’s website here.

As a mutual company improving lives through financial security, we know the actions we take today shape tomorrow. Our disciplined approach to governance, risk management and shared value through the lens of sustainability and social impact protects our long-term financial strength, creates positive economic and societal impact, and helps ensure we’re here to serve for generations to come. By delivering financial security and expanding financial access, investing in our communities, strengthening a culture of belonging, and reducing our environmental impact, we’re building a resilient tomorrow for policyowners and clients, our employees and financial advisors, and our communities. nm.com/sustainability

About Northwestern Mutual Foundation

The mission of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation is to improve the lives of children and families in need. The Foundation has given more than $500 million since its inception in 1992 and is designed to create lasting impact in the communities where the company’s employees and financial representatives live and work. We accomplish this by combining financial support, volunteerism, thought leadership and convening community partners to deliver the best outcomes. Our efforts are focused nationally on curing childhood cancer, and locally on education, neighborhoods and making our hometown of Milwaukee a great destination. Visit Northwestern Mutual Foundation to learn more.

About Northwestern Mutual

Northwestern Mutual has been helping people and businesses achieve financial security for more than 165 years. Through a comprehensive planning approach, Northwestern Mutual combines the expertise of its financial professionals with a personalized digital experience and industry-leading products to help its clients plan for what’s most important. With more than $627 billion of total assets being managed across the company’s institutional portfolio as well as retail investment client portfolios, nearly $36 billion in revenues, and $2.3 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to more than five million people with life, disability income and long-term care insurance, annuities, and brokerage and advisory services. Northwestern Mutual ranked 111 on the 2023 FORTUNE 500.

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM), Milwaukee, WI (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (investment brokerage services), broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company® (NMWMC) (investment advisory and services), federal savings bank; and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC) (long-term care insurance). Not all Northwestern Mutual representatives are advisors. Only those representatives with “Advisor” in their title or who otherwise disclose their status as an advisor of NMWMC are credentialed as NMWMC representatives to provide investment advisory services.

SOURCE Northwestern Mutual

NEW YORK, December 3, 2024 /3BL/ – Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) (BSE: 532540, NSE: TCS) has announced that its annual goIT Global Innovator of the Year (IOTY) competition is open for entries. From now through December 31, 2024, TCS is encouraging students aged 6 to 17 to submit their world-changing ideas for addressing global challenges that are aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Now in its third year, the competition provides a global stage for young people to tap into their creativity to help build a more sustainable and inclusive world, while furthering their own professional development.

“The goIT Global Innovator of the Year competition is about empowering young people to solve problems on a global scale,” said John DiChiara, TCS global goIT program manager. “It offers them a unique opportunity to make an impact and, while fostering a long-term interest in technology as a powerful tool for social good.”

The competition, along with the ongoing goIT Monthly Challenge and other TCS programs, are key elements of TCS’s commitment to inspiring students to develop the soft skills and technical expertise needed for their future career, while encouraging them to become action-oriented, global citizens.

Submissions from the 2024 goIT Monthly Challenges, goIT online or goIT Live events have already been entered into the competition. To submit a new concept or participate for the first time, students or student teams must submit a 1-to-3-minute video pitch, presentation, or written proposal explaining their idea and the specific SDG it addresses. Submissions can target any of the 17 SDGs and should be selected based on the issues that matter most to them or their communities.

In early 2025, several regional competitions will identify winners and runners up, with all regional finalists advancing to the program judges’ final review, who will determine the 2024 goIT Innovator of the Year. All participants will receive a certificate of achievement, while top finalists will compete for awards such as mentorship opportunities, scholarships, and support to bring their ideas to life.

Educators, students and parents can find more information at https://tcsempowers.tcsapps.com/amer/goit-main/ioty. Entries must be submitted by December 31, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. (entrants’ local time).

About TCS’ goIT Program

TCS’ Go Innovate Together program (goIT) is TCS’ flagship STEM education program. Focusing on digital innovation and career readiness, goIT engages students from diverse backgrounds with Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) subjects and computer science, design thinking and digital innovation. The program offers an industry-developed, customizable curriculum that teaches students the 21st century skills necessary for a career in technology. Lessons cover topics including design thinking, rapid prototyping, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and more. For more information, visit https://on.tcs.com/goIT-AMERS.

About Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)

Tata Consultancy Services is an IT services, consulting and business solutions organization that has been partnering with many of the world’s largest businesses in their transformation journeys for over 56 years. Its consulting-led, cognitive powered, portfolio of business, technology and engineering services and solutions is delivered through its unique Location Independent Agile™ delivery model, recognized as a benchmark of excellence in software development.

A part of the Tata group, India’s largest multinational business group, TCS has over 612,700 of the world’s best-trained consultants in 55 countries. The company generated consolidated revenues of US $29 billion in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, and is listed on the BSE and the NSE in India. TCS’ proactive stance on climate change and award-winning work with communities across the world have earned it a place in leading sustainability indices such as the MSCI Global Sustainability Index and the FTSE4Good Emerging Index. For more information, visit www.tcs.com

CNH brand, Case IH, has donated tractors to young training farmers in Southland, New Zealand.

This is helping make a big difference in the lives of young people with a passion for agriculture who may not have the resources to fund the training required to get a foothold in the industry.

Jeff Farm is a 2,433ha property near Gore, owned and run by the Salvation Army since the early 1950s. It was gifted by farmer Edmund Jeff, with the stipulation it be “used to train young people in farming practices – who would not otherwise have such a career option”.

Michael Benton has been General Manager of the training property for the past 12 months, arriving as its Assistant Manager two-and-a-half years ago.

There are five trainees at Jeff Farm at any one time, usually coming straight from school. They also live on the property and for the next two years they’ll develop a raft of skills—everything from learning how to operate motorbikes, chainsaws and tractors, to fencing, stock procedures and training a working dog.

“The idea is that we teach them the necessary skills needed to make them attractive employees in the agriculture industry once they leave here,” Michael said.

The trainees have recently welcomed a new tractor, a Case IH Puma 220, which is the first Case IH tractor on Jeff Farm—now it’s the biggest in the fleet.

Michael has said the team at the local Case IH dealership, Agricentre South, had been keen to become involved in the property when they learned about it and what it had been established to achieve.

“They wanted to know the story behind it, which was important to us, and the service they’ve provided has been great. The new Puma has everything we need, and the trainees are certainly enjoying the additional horsepower and all the technology it offers, and how that can assist us in performing all the tasks around the property, enhancing efficiency and productivity,” Michael said.

MIAMI, December 3, 2024 /3BL/ – In a continued effort to strengthen the small business community, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava joined Miami-Dade County’s Office of Innovation and Economic Development and Wells Fargo leaders to officially launch the Strive305 HUB, an all-in-one resource platform designed to help small business owners connect with essential resources, community partners, and growth opportunities. Powered by Miami-Dade County and funded and sponsored by Wells Fargo, the Strive305 HUB aims to make small business support more accessible and impactful by offering a wide array of tools including resource mapping, training modules, event promotion, and community engagement features.

“We know that small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and we are committed to providing them with the resources they need to succeed,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “The Strive305 HUB is more than just a portal; it’s a comprehensive support system. By connecting entrepreneurs to invaluable resources, technical assistance, and mentorship, we’re investing in Miami-Dade’s future as a thriving, resilient economy.”

Through the County’s Office of Innovation and Economic Development, Mayor Levine Cava’s administration has spearheaded STRIVE 305, the county’s flagship program offering resources, capital access, and trainings; allocated $25 million to more than 120 small businesses through grants; and, launched an online Small Business Resource Guide and to empower small businesses in the county with essential resources for starting, managing, and growing their operations.

“Wells Fargo is thrilled to join the effort to support small businesses across Miami-Dade County. As part of our long-standing commitment to work with small businesses to drive growth across South Florida, the Strive305 HUB will support small businesses and economic development by providing local small businesses and entrepreneurs with enhanced access to funding, resources and expertise to help them serve their customers across the region,” said Jason Rosenberg, head of Public Affairs at Wells Fargo.

Building on prior Wells Fargo small business investment in South Florida, including its $20 million Miami Open for Business grant, Wells Fargo is also supporting this online hub, which will aid new and existing entrepreneurs through the business development process. From opening and registering a new business, preparing for emergencies and business planning to accessing networking, mentoring, tax and legal services, business owners will find resources that will help remove barriers and foster growth and development of healthy business ventures.

In addition to Wells Fargo, the Strive305 HUB is also supported by partners such as the Small Business Administration, Florida International University’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA).

For more information, visit www.Strive305HUB.Com.

Contact: 
William Porro, Miami-Dade County Office of Innovation & Economic Development 
William.porro@miamidade.gov 
305-582-5757

Gabriela Lambertus, Wells Fargo 
gabriela.lambertus@wellsfargo.com 
305-619-8898

Originally published in Quest Diagnostics’ 2023 Corporate Responsibility Report

Safeguarding our patients’ data

Quest safeguards the privacy and security of our patients’ health information through policies, procedures, and by developing solutions to tackle emerging data security threats.

DATA PRIVACY 
We have a mature and effective privacy program that includes detailed privacy policies and procedures, training, auditing, and ongoing privacy awareness reminders. Our comprehensive program addresses a broad range of privacy subjects including protected health information disclosures, key privacy safeguards, and minimum necessary access to patient health information. These policies are available to employees on our intranet site. All employees undergo annual training on the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). For both new and existing employees, we may provide more specialized privacy training based on an employee’s job function. In addition, the Company continues to review new regulations and state laws and implements required controls as needed.

CYBERSECURITY 
The strength and resilience of our cybersecurity and data privacy programs are critical in maintaining the trust of our patients, customers, employees, shareholders, and other stakeholders. Securing our business, customer, patient and employee data, and our information technology (IT) systems is an important part of our overall risk management framework. Quest’s cybersecurity program is overseen by the Chief Information Security Officer who reports to our Chief Information and Digital Officer.

Quest maintains a comprehensive cybersecurity program developed to align with best-practice frameworks, applicable laws and regulations, and our contractual obligations. We’ve designed the enterprise-wide program to secure our facilities and information systems and safeguard data throughout its lifecycle, including data provided to third parties performing services on our behalf. Our cybersecurity program incorporates standards, processes, and controls over a number of domains, including, but not limited to, governance, IT risk management, access controls, facility and data protection, IT systems and data transmission security, threat intelligence and incident response, supply chain risk management, disaster recovery, and vulnerability management.

Our cybersecurity risk management program monitors our systems and networks for threats, breaches, intrusions, and other vulnerabilities; assesses the security of our company-wide software, applications and systems; conducts security audits and threat assessments; responds to cybersecurity incidents; and facilitates training for our employees. We’ve also convened an IT Risk Council, with enterprise-wide representation, which receives quarterly and ad hoc updates on our cybersecurity efforts. Recognizing the interconnected nature of the healthcare industry, we prioritize supply chain security to mitigate the risks of third-party breaches. We assess the security posture of our vendors and partners with whom we interface, or who store, process, host, or transmit confidential patient and employee data or other confidential information.

Our cybersecurity program is based on multiple security frameworks, including, but not limited to, the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s NIST 800 Special Publication Information Security standard, MITRE 40 ATT&CK Framework, the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, the System and Organization Controls for Service Organizations 2, and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2015 and ISO 15189.

Our cybersecurity program is continuously evolving to adapt to emerging threats, strengthen our security posture, and ensure the resilience of our services. Our Board of Directors oversees our cybersecurity via the Cybersecurity, Quality & Compliance, and Audit & Finance Committees.

Read more

Originally published in Leidos Sustainability Report

Strengthening our communities through volunteerism is part of our Leidos vision statement and our employees have a long history of deep engagement in our communities. We allocate charitable resources — including budget, time and talent — to a variety of organizations and causes that best align with our priorities as a company. By combining corporate giving with passionate and inspired employee participation, Leidos is making a meaningful difference to those in need.

Our Leidos Employee Volunteer Incentive Program celebrates employees who go above and beyond, as demonstrated by the volunteer hours they log; employees with the most hours are highlighted on Leidos’ intranet and recognized by leadership. In 2023, Leidos donated more than $5 million to charitable organizations and our employees volunteered more than 43,600 hours in their communities. We also updated the volunteering categories in our online system to better align to Leidos’ core giving areas and represent the many areas where Leidos employees passionately spend their volunteer hours.

Charitable Giving Focus Areas

Healthier Lives
Represents our commitment to health and well-being, including
our deep commitment to addressing the myriad challenges around
mental health.

Leadership and Inclusion
Represents our focus on diversity, equity and inclusion.

National Security and Military
Represents our long-time commitment to the military and national security organizations.

Education/STEM
Represents our commitment to educational support across all grade levels, with a focus on science, technology, engineering and math.

Environment
Represents an understanding of the growing importance of climate and other environmental issues

Read the full report here

OSLO, Norway, December 3, 2024 /3BL/ – SLB Capturi has reached a significant milestone of mechanical completion of the carbon capture plant at Heidelberg Materials’ cement facility in Brevik, Norway.

With the full-scale carbon capture plant now complete, including the carbon capture system, compression system, heat integration system, intermediate storage, and loadout facilities, the plant is now ready for testing and commissioning. When operational, this world-first commercial-scale carbon capture plant at a cement facility will enable production of net zero cement, without compromising on the product strength or quality.

“Reaching this milestone is a testament to the power of working together and the collective determination to make a positive climate impact,” said Egil Fagerland, CEO, SLB Capturi. “We look forward to continuing these collaborative efforts as we move toward the commissioning and operational phases of the project. The Brevik CCS plant sets a precedent for future carbon capture initiatives, where learnings and insights from this groundbreaking project enable others to follow.”

Due to the inherent emissions of cement production, the sector is dependent on carbon capture and storage to reach net zero. The carbon capture plant is designed to capture up to 400,000 metric tons of CO2 annually from the cement facility. Strong execution support from Aker Solutions and the local industry has been instrumental in completing the construction of this project.

“The mechanical completion of the Brevik CCS project is a landmark achievement in the decarbonization journey of the cement industry,” said Giv Brantenberg, general manager Northern Europe, Heidelberg Materials. “This project exemplifies our commitment to innovation, collaboration, and the pursuit of solutions that address the pressing issue of climate change. We are immensely proud of the dedication and hard work of our teams and partners who have made this possible.”

The Brevik CCS plant is part of The Longship CCS project, Europe’s first complete value chain for the capture, transport, and storage of industrial CO2 emissions. The Brevik plant will now move into commissioning phase, with operations starting during 2025.

About SLB
SLB (NYSE: SLB) is a global technology company that drives energy innovation for a balanced planet. With a global footprint in more than 100 countries and employees representing almost twice as many nationalities, we work each day on innovating oil and gas, delivering digital at scale, decarbonizing industries, and developing and scaling new energy systems that accelerate the energy transition. Find out more at slb.com.

About SLB Capturi
SLB Capturi is dedicated to carbon removal and reduction solutions. The company’s proven modular technologies enable industries to deploy capture technology at speed and scale, meeting the requirements of tomorrow and the opportunities of today. The company is currently delivering seven carbon capture plants to bioenergy, waste to energy, and cement facilities. Find out more at capturi.slb.com.

Media
Josh Byerly – SVP of Communications
Moira Duff – Director of External Communications
SLB
Tel: +1 (713) 375-3407
Email: media@slb.com

Hanne Rolén  – Head of Sustainability & Communications
SLB Capturi
Tel: +47 990 02 571
Email: Hrolen@capturi.slb.com

Investors
James R. McDonald – SVP of Investor Relations & Industry Affairs
Joy V. Domingo – Director of Investor Relations
SLB
Tel: +1 (713) 375-3535
Email: investor-relations@slb.com

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws — that is, statements about the future, not about past events. Such statements often contain words such as “expect,” “may,” “can,” “estimate,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “will,” “potential,” “projected” and other similar words. Forward-looking statements address matters that are, to varying degrees, uncertain, such as forecasts or expectations regarding the deployment of, or anticipated benefits of, SLB’s new technologies and partnerships; statements about goals, plans and projections with respect to sustainability and environmental matters; forecasts or expectations regarding energy transition and global climate change; and improvements in operating procedures and technology. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the inability to achieve net-negative carbon emissions goals; the inability to recognize intended benefits of SLB’s strategies, initiatives or partnerships; legislative and regulatory initiatives addressing environmental concerns, including initiatives addressing the impact of global climate change; the timing or receipt of regulatory approvals and permits; and other risks and uncertainties detailed in SLB’s most recent Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K filed with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize (or the consequences of such a development changes), or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those reflected in our forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and SLB disclaims any intention or obligation to update publicly or revise such statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

View original content here.

Meta is pledging to contract at least $35 million for carbon removal projects in the coming year as part of our goal to achieve net zero emissions across our value chain in 2030. This is a direct response to the Carbon Dioxide Removal Purchasing Challenge presented by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), which calls for companies to help catalyze carbon removal at gigaton scales in the coming decades. Our pledge matches DOE’s own commitment to advance technologies that remove carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere.

The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report makes it clear that emissions reduction and carbon removal are complementary and necessary for a net zero future. Reducing our GHG emissions across our global operations and value chain remains the most effective strategy to reach net zero. We will also be supporting high-quality nature-based and technological carbon removal for any residual emissions we cannot eliminate to reach our goal. Carbon removal will not only play an important role in helping us reach net zero emissions across our value chain in 2030, but it will also help the world avoid the worst effects of climate change.

We hope our pledge will encourage others to make similar pledges, ultimately helping to scale the market and reduce the cost of carbon removal technologies. We are excited to continue our work to help build the carbon removal market, and look forward to working with partners like DOE to scale climate solutions vital to achieve a net zero future.

Collecting accurate air emissions data is crucial for regulatory compliance (such as air emission permits) and for identifying opportunities to reduce carbon emissions in industrial operations. Whether for air emission permits or carbon reduction strategies, the process involves understanding and quantifying emissions from different sources in your facility and in the case of carbon reduction, taking steps to reduce those emissions over time.

Key Steps for Collecting Air Emissions Data

Here’s a structured approach for collecting air emissions data for both regulatory compliance and carbon reduction efforts:

1. Understand the Regulatory Requirements for Air Emissions Permitting

Different regulations and agencies may require specific emissions data collection for air quality permits, typically through the Clean Air Act in the U.S. or equivalent country specific regulations. If your facility has, or is planning to have air emission sources, equipment, or processes that directly or indirectly emit regulated air pollutants, you first need to evaluate the need for air emission permits to either install and/or operate those air emission sources. As part of this evaluation, you may need to calculate the quantity of both actual and potential emissions for a variety of pollutants, including:

Nitrogen oxides (NOx)Sulfur oxides (SOx)Particulate matter (PM)VOCs (volatile organic compounds)HAPs (hazardous air pollutants)Greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) or hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

Potential emissions are based on the maximum physical and operational design capacity of the emission source to emit regulated pollutants. Applicability to the air emission permit regulations must be evaluated for new construction, modifications, or routine operations.

The type of emission source, and possibly the quantity of both actual and/or potential emissions emitted from the source, along with the site operator’s need for operational flexibility, will dictate the type of air emission permit required. Types of air emission permits arranged from most to least rigorous, include Title V Operating Permits (large facilities having the potential to emit significant quantities of pollutants); New Source Review (NSR) Permits (For facilities with new or modified emissions sources); and State-Level Permits (for facilities having lower actual emissions or the ability to take limits on potential emissions). Some geographical state regions have additional or more specific permitting requirements.

Air emission sources, whether air permits are required or not, may need to report emission inventories annually to regulatory bodies. These inventories help track emissions sources, monitor compliance, and identify potential emission reduction opportunities.

2. Identify Emission Sources in Your Facility

The next step in collecting air emissions data for both regulatory compliance and carbon reduction efforts begins by identifying all potential emission sources in your facility. Common sources of emissions include but are not limited to:

Combustion Processes (boilers, furnaces, ovens, dryers, reciprocating internal combustion engines)Chemical Processes (chemical processes that either manufacture, process, or use chemicals that emit VOCs, PM, CO2, or other regulated pollutants)Manufacturing Processes (including metal, wood, and plastic fabrication operations including painting and coating operations that emit VOCs, PM, other regulated pollutants or NF3)Metallurgical Processes (including mining, metal production and processing operations that emit PM, HAPs, and air toxics)Waste Handling (Waste treatment, incineration, landfilling, and wastewater treatment processes that can emit regulated pollutants and/or methane, another potent GHG).

A secondary activity related to air emission source identification would be those emission sources, that while not necessarily owned and operated by your business entity, would have significant impact on your sustainability and carbon reduction efforts. These emission sources include but are not limited to:

Energy Use (purchase of electricity, steam, heat, and cooling which have indirect GHG emissions)Raw Material Use (purchase of raw materials and production support materials which have indirect GHG emissions)Transportation (fuel use and associated GHG emissions for transport vehicles including trucks, trains, and ships both on-site and off-site).

3. Select the Right Data Collection Methodology

To collect reliable air emissions data, you will need to select an appropriate methodology. Common methods include Direct Emission Measurement using emissions testing or monitoring equipment to directly measure the emission rate or concentration of pollutants. Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS) are sometimes required conditions of an air emission permit for large combustion sources like boilers or thermal oxidizers. They provide real-time emissions data for pollutants such as NOx, SOx, and PM. Permit conditions or emission standard compliance may also prompt emission source testing (analytical and/or electronic instrumentation) on some specified frequency to verify compliance with set emission rates for regulated pollutants.

A second methodology for estimating air emissions is the use of emission factors. Using emission factors is the most common method for calculating emissions, mainly because of its low cost in comparison to direct emission measurement or stack testing. An emission factor is a multiplier that correlates a unit of activity (e.g., fuel consumption) with a quantity of pollutant emitted. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides an Emission Factor Database (AP-42) that offers emission factors for a variety of industries and pollutants. Additionally, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) provides a methodology used for GHG inventories, including industrial processes, transportation, and energy use.

A third methodology for estimating emissions is referred to as the Mass Balance approach. This methodology is based on inputs and outputs of materials and energy. This is used when emissions are related to specific chemical reactions (e.g., combustion processes or production of chemicals) and is sometimes used in combination with the “Ideal Gas Law” where only minimal losses of volatiles (VOC emissions) are expected. For more complex situations, such as dispersion of pollutants or chemical reactions in large areas, pollutant concentrations can be estimated using air quality modeling software.

4. Data Collection for Greenhouse Gases (GHGs)

For carbon reduction and GHG emissions reporting, accurate data on GHGs is key. These emissions are organized into Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 categories. Scope 1, or direct emissions, are emissions that are the result of onsite activities such as the combustion of fossil fuels in boilers or furnaces, or in the engine of owned and operated vehicles. Scope 2, or indirect emissions, are those emissions that are associated with the generation of electricity, steam, heating, and cooling that your site purchases. Scope 3, or other indirect emissions, are all other indirect emissions in the value chain, such as from employee commuting, transportation, waste management, and product use.

Key data points for GHG emissions calculation include type and quantity of fuel used (e.g., natural gas, diesel, gasoline, coal), energy consumption data (electricity, steam, cooling), materials used in the manufacturing process (e.g., raw materials with associated emissions), and waste disposal methods.

The tools and protocols commonly used include the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, a widely used corporate standard for calculating and reporting GHG emissions, and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14064, which is a standard for quantifying and verifying GHG emissions at organizational and project levels.

5. Use of Emissions Data

Once emissions data is collected, it can be used in many ways. First and foremost, the emissions data can be used to document day-to-day compliance with air emission permits and standards. Any legal compliance is of course a baseline operational expectation of high-performing companies and encourages them to actively set budgets necessary to continue the collection and analysis of their emission data. Emission data is also shown to be not only useful but also necessary in other environmental regulatory compliance such as Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Reporting.

Emissions data can be used by regulatory agencies to identify high emitting activities or sources. This could include energy-intensive equipment or processes, excessive fuel consumption, or waste generation. Many companies use their GHG emissions data to set achievable carbon reduction targets (e.g., reducing annual GHG emissions by X% from a given baseline year), and to implement far ranging reduction strategies in the following:

Energy Efficiency (by investing in energy-efficient technologies, switching to cleaner fuels, or upgrading older less efficient equipment)Renewable Energy (by switching to renewable energy sources)Carbon Capture and Storage (in some industry sectors typically with high-purity emissions sources)Transportation Optimizations (by improving fuel efficiency of vehicles or transitioning to electric vehicles)Waste Minimization and Recycling (by reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills and improving recycling and reuse efforts).

6. Ensure Ongoing Monitoring and Reporting

Just like any other information gathering process, Emissions Data Collection requires quality control and begs for management system concepts. The use of continuous emission monitoring systems to track emissions in real-time, such as CEMS, requires calibrations, software updates, and manufacturer-specified maintenance. Compliance calendars and written reporting procedures, including a quality review of acquired data, are also necessary practices to ensure that emissions data is accurate and based on credible sources or calculations to avoid penalties.

Additionally, many companies are required to report emissions to regulatory bodies on a regular basis (e.g., quarterly, annually) or in response to requests by investors or customers. Reporting may also be voluntary, as part of sustainability initiatives or corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals.

7. Align with Sustainability Goals and Industry Standards

Many companies are aligning their carbon reduction efforts with global initiatives like the Paris Agreement and science-based targets (SBTi). Your emissions reporting should support these efforts to reduce carbon footprints. Additionally, companies are looking to participate in voluntary programs like CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project), which provides a framework for companies to disclose their emissions and reduction progress.

Conclusion 

Collecting and using air emissions data is a key component of both air emission regulatory compliance and carbon reduction efforts. To ensure you meet permitting requirements, it’s essential to understand the regulatory framework in your region, identify emissions sources, and employ accurate data collection methods (e.g., emissions factors, direct measurements). For carbon reduction, using this data to set targets, implement reduction strategies, and monitor progress will help reduce your environmental impact and align with sustainability goals. By integrating accurate emissions data into decision-making processes, companies can both comply with regulations and work toward a more sustainable future.

Do you have any questions? Our Air Emissions Management team and our Climate Change Advisory team are here to help get you answers, so reach out today!

Albertsons Companies recently recognized the Toppenish High School for their inspiring efforts to address food insecurity through the Explore.Act.Tell. (E.A.T.) Program. Their dedication earned them a well-deserved grant funded by the Nourishing Neighbors program, a charitable initiative of the Albertsons Companies Foundation.

One of their remarkable achievements is the establishment of the THS Pantry project, which has become a beacon of hope in the fight against food insecurity. This project has provided a reliable source of non-perishable food for students and families, securing over 1,400 items through a competitive advisory class donation drive.

By partnering with local businesses and organizations, Toppenish High School has ensured consistent food donations and organized weekly collections and distributions. This collective effort has been managed by NHS and SkillsUSA members, has fostered a sense of community spirit and student leadership.

Looking ahead, students are excited about future plans, which include expanding partnerships, offering nutrition workshops and ensuring sustainability through a permanent oversight committee.

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